Pathways to Employment: Your guide to a career in substance use services
This toolkit brings a range of information and support together into one resource for people with lived and living experience of substance use looking to pursue careers in the drug and alcohol sector.
Recovery communities and lived experience recovery organisations (LEROs)
Your local recovery community or LERO can offer many benefits before you begin your journey towards employment. These organisations can help you build relationships, share your experiences, and develop the skills and confidence necessary to enter work.
How can recovery communities and LEROs support my recovery and employability?
Recovery communities and LEROs can support your recovery and your path to employment by acting as a bridge between fellowship or treatment services, and the workplace. By offering structured pathways, they can often provide support and guidance that will help you transition to employment.
These organisations can offer a support system that may help you develop:
- Coping Strategies – helping you build the tools needed to manage challenges.
- Emotional Stability – providing a foundation for handling the stresses of work life.
- Skill Development – offering training, education and volunteer opportunities to develop job-related skills.
- Practical Support – offering practical support as you navigate systems such as disclosure and benefits.
What kind of opportunities do these communities provide?
Recovery communities and LEROs can prepare you for employment by providing you with an opportunity to engage in:
- Recovery Events/Meetings - where you can share your experience, engage with other people in recovery and build your confidence.
- Volunteering – where you can gain experience and readiness for work, whilst being supported with your own needs.
How can I benefit from their employability pathways?
You can benefit from the unique employability pathways provided by recovery communities and LEROs through:
- Tailored Support - addressing both personal and professional development.
- Personal Health and Wellbeing - equipping you with the training, knowledge and practical support to manage your mental health and wellbeing.
- Skill Building Workshops - helping you gain the skills needed for your desired job.
- Networking Opportunities - connecting you with potential employers and peers.
What key areas should I focus on to prepare for employment?
To prepare for employment, focus on developing:
- Resilience - building the strength to overcome obstacles.
- Readiness - ensuring you are emotionally and mentally prepared for work.
- Ongoing Support - maintaining connections with support networks to sustain employment.
Recovery communities and LEROs can provide you with the support needed to develop these key areas, helping ensure you are not only ready to enter the workforce but also capable of sustaining your employment and personal recovery.
The Scottish Drugs Services Directory or Scottish Recovery Consortium may be able to help you identify recovery communities and LEROs in your local area.